Nucleic Acids Specialist, ATMF (mRNA/Plasmid DNA)

Location: hirify.global Vancouver Campus, Vancouver, BC, Canada; onsite laboratory role.

Compensation: $5,538.94–$6,497.44 CAD monthly.

Company

hirify.global is a research and teaching university whose Faculty of Medicine conducts research and innovation in health and life sciences. The Advanced Therapeutics Manufacturing Facility develops GMP biomanufacturing capabilities for cells, mRNA vaccines, viral vectors, and plasmid DNA.

What you will do

• Design, evaluate, modify, verify, and characterize plasmid DNA constructs for IVT, viral vector production, and advanced therapeutic applications.
• Develop, optimize, troubleshoot, and scale plasmid DNA fermentation, purification, and manufacturing processes.
• Develop and scale IVT and RNA purification workflows, evaluating templates, enzymes, nucleotides, capping, modified nucleotides, DNase treatment, and process conditions.
• Develop analytical methods to assess nucleic-acid identity, purity, concentration, integrity, topology, capping, poly(A) characteristics, residual DNA, and double-stranded RNA.
• Support LNP formulation and RNA-LNP characterization where applicable, including encapsulation efficiency, particle characteristics, stability, and biological activity.
• Document processes, prepare SOPs and technical reports, support technology transfer to GMP manufacturing, train junior staff and trainees, and collaborate with PD, GMP Production, QA, QC, academic, and industry teams.

Requirements

• University degree in a relevant discipline or technical program and at least four years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; some positions may require a graduate degree.
• Advanced knowledge of molecular biology and nucleic acid biochemistry, including independent design, evaluation, and troubleshooting of DNA constructs and RNA production strategies.
• Hands-on experience with plasmid design, molecular cloning, sequence analysis, nucleic-acid purification and characterization, and IVT or production, purification, or characterization of mRNA or other RNA products.
• Strong understanding of plasmid architecture and design considerations for IVT and/or viral vector production.
• Experience optimizing and scaling enzymatic reactions or nucleic-acid manufacturing processes, and using analytical methods to assess DNA and RNA identity, purity, concentration, integrity, and process-related impurities.
• Ability to independently plan experiments, analyze complex data, troubleshoot unexpected results, identify technical risks, and make scientifically justified recommendations.
• Exceptional attention to detail in sequence design, calculations, experimental preparation, sample tracking, and technical documentation.
• Strong organizational and technical writing skills, including SOPs, protocols, development reports, and technology-transfer documentation.
• Ability to evaluate scientific literature, vendor information, and emerging technologies; collaborate across multidisciplinary teams; communicate technical information clearly; and train or guide junior staff and trainees.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives and commitment to developing awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Nice to have

• Relevant graduate training or an M.Sc.
• Experience with bacterial fermentation, bioreactor-based plasmid production, or plasmid DNA manufacturing scale-up.
• Experience with viral vector plasmid design or production.
• Experience with LNP formulation, microfluidic mixing, RNA encapsulation, or RNA-LNP characterization; combined RNA and LNP experience is particularly desirable.
• Experience in a GMP, GLP, or other regulated biomanufacturing environment.
• Experience applying Quality by Design, design of experiments, or systematic process-development approaches.

Culture & Benefits

• Work in a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive laboratory environment.
• Contribute to translational research with academic and industry collaborators.
• Work alongside Process Development, GMP Production, Quality Assurance, and Quality Control teams.
• Support the development of advanced therapeutics and biomanufacturing capabilities for early-phase clinical trials and public health applications.